San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-05-27
STEAM AND WHEELS
WILL YET BRING US NEARER MEX
ZOOS CAPITAL.

Efforts at a Short Lne-A Good Thing
For San Antonio Railroad
Land at Del Rio.
Colonel G. C. Gibbs, one OF the OFF,
oials Of the Southern Pacific railroad,
passed through the city yesterday on
his way home from an extended busl-
ness trip through the western part of
the state in the Interest OF his road. He
does not say much, like all railroad men,
but when asked by b LIHGr reporter,
about the recent cash purchase OF q
large amount Of towh property In Del
Rio by the railway company, what 1t
meant, he said the company would soon
have big auction sale Of town lots on
this property.
When asked II the road was going to
erect shops on part OF It, he replied that
he did not know, but that something
like that might develop, later on.
Another object OF his visit, IL 10 said,
was to inspect the line Of the road via
Del Rio and Eagle Pass. with q view Of
running the line OF the road In shorter
line than IL now runs to Eagle Pass.
Several Of the long curves will be
Strengthened and the distance shortened
by some hours. /.
10 this connection, the reporter called
on Mr.. Chas. Z. Miner, the agent Of the
railway company at FL Paso. He said
that this shortening Of the line meant
City Of Mexico, and he explained. The
Ferro Carril international Mexicsno
has decided to push this road from Pie
dras Negras on to Lerdo. or Terra I'm /,
to connect with the Mexican Central
and the connection would positively be
made by the first Of next October.
Then the Southern Pacific, through its
Eagle Pass branch, would have direct
line from New Orleans and San Antonio
to the City Of Mexico, and this road
would bring San Antonio much nearer
the City Of Mexico via Eagle Pass, than
by the old route, through FL PasO In
fact San Antonio will then be but 10
miles further away from the City of
Mexico than is FL Paso. The distance
from San Antonio to FL Paso Is 633
miles, and from FL Paso to that point it
is ,224 miles or 1857 miles from San
Antonio to the city Of Mexico via FL
Psso, requiring trip Of three and one
half days on the rail, and with the day
spent In FL Paso waiting to make con-
nection, will make 1t four days and over.
By the new route, from San Antonio to
Piedras Negras, 1856 miles, from Piedras
Negras to Lerdo, 1872 miles, and from
Lerdo to City OF Mexico, 707 miles, the
distance will be about 1910 miles, that
is, taking off some ~ miles from this dis
lance, which will occur when the road
is finally built and track laid. This will
give San Antonians q go hour run to the
Mexican capital.
The advantages of this shorter route
are obvious. Mexican business, both pas
senger and freight, now going by
way Of El Paso will be diverted
through San Antonio, and even FL Paso
merchants will send their business to
Mexico via San Antonio, and boom for
San Antonio may be expected. .
1t looks like the Southern Pacific rail.
way intended keeping up the big exour-
sions to California OF last winter all OF
this summer. The excursion fare has
been reduced, and q round-trip ticket,
good for six months from date OF pur.
chase, from New Orleans or any point
on the Southern Pacific In Texas to any
point on the line In CalifOrnis, is now
sold for the low price OF $50. A large ex
cursion party, taking advantage OF this
low rate, passed through San Antonio
to-day. They were loaded In three or
four coaches OF the regular train. An
other excursion Of the same sort Is des
tined to pass through San Antonio about
the 10th OF June, and yet another about
the Ath ofJune: .
The Sunset pay car was In Wednesday
night distributing its wealth among the
boys. Ii went west yesterday morning